A look ahead at tomorrow's game at the Boleyn Ground
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Date: 5.30pm Saturday 19th October 2013
Venue: Boleyn Ground, London
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: S Burt, D England. Fourth Official: J Moss.
Odds: West Ham 9/2, Manchester City 8/11, Draw 11/4
Tickets: City allocation sold out.
West Ham United
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Squad (from):Adrian, Henderson, Jaaskelainen, Demel, McCartney, O'Brien, Potts, Rat, Reid, Tomkins, J Cole, Collison, Diame, Downing, Jarvis, Morrison, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Lee, C Cole, Maiga, Petric, Vaz Te.
Injured: Collins, Carroll, Diarra
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WLLDLD
Manchester City
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Squad (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Wright, Boyata, Clichy, Kolarov, Lescott, Nastasic, Richards, Zabaleta, Garcia, Fernandinho, Milner, Nasri, Navas, Rodwell, Silva, Toure, Aguero, Dzeko, Guidetti, Jovetic, Negredo
Injured: Kompany, Demichelis
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WLWDWL
City go into Saturday's clash with West Ham United still seeking their first away win of the season. Seemingly winnable games against Cardiff, Stoke and Aston Villa have yielded just one point in a frustrating start for manager Manuel Pellegrini. With the Blues facing four successive away games there is pressure on Pellegrini to rectify this anomaly as a matter of urgency.
Skipper Vincent Kompany is recovering well from a thigh injury, but will not be risked with an important Champions League game in Moscow looming. Martin Demichelis is also unavailable, despite having played 45 minutes for the EDS against Rochdale on Wednesday. Jack Rodwell came through the game unscathed and may come into consideration, giving Pellegrini plenty of options to choose from.
West Ham have endured a difficult start to the season, but will take great confidence from an impressive 3-0 victory at White Hart Lane in their last game, with Sam Allardyce's unconventional 4-6-0 formation proving successful. The Hammers, however, have struggled at home with successive defeats against Stoke and Everton in their previous two games at the Boleyn Ground.
James Collins picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Wales, whilst Alou Diarra and Andy Carroll are long term absentees. Carlton Cole could be selected after rejoining West Ham on a three month deal, despite being released by the club at the end of last season.
City's last league game at Upton Park ended in a 0-0 draw, but the Blues have a good record against West Ham in recent years with just one defeat in the previous twelve meetings. Overall the Blues have won 43 of the 94 games played against the Hammers, with 16 draws and 35 defeats.
Read the view of West Ham fan Bobby Iron here.
Prediction: West Ham United 1 Manchester City 1